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BYWAYS BOY: part of a Gerald Bailey double
photo: Mark Fettes

The South Wold Point-to-Point took place on Saturday at Brocklesby Park amid glorious spring sunshine. 65 runners contested seven races and a fair crowd witnessed some thrilling finishes.

There were 22 runners declared for the first race, the Maiden race kindly sponsored by Richard Sanderson (on course bookmaker). This led to the race being divided with 11 runners going to post in each division. In division one a close finish saw the brothers Jake and Tom Greenall battling for first place.

Jake, riding Fernandina, came home first with Tom on board Pipsacre in second place. Fernandina had previously been brought down when fancied at Charm Park. Third-placed Alfloradora is owned by South Wold Point-to-Point Chairman Mark Barthorpe and should be able to win soon.

In division two the well-backed four-year-old Elegant Touch made what looked like a winning move just before the second-last fence. However, her jumping let her down and this left the six year old Oojar in front. The gelding was outpaced early in the race but was given a patient ride by Guy Brewer and eventually won nicely. This was the faster division.

Guy Brewer went on to complete a double on board Caramia in the Gleadell Agriculture Confined Hunts race. Owner/Rider Samantha Klug suffered a fall in the earlier PPORA Club Members Novice Riders race and so Brewer was called on to substitute. Galaxia and John Russell looked like the winners at the last fence but Caramia was stronger near the finish. "It's not often you pick up a spare ride that starts favourite," commented the winning rider, whose wife Freya finished fourth on Madison De Vonnas.

The PPORA Club Members Novice Riders race, kindly sponsored by R.H. & V. M. Booth, turned out to be an incident packed affair with only three of the 10 runners completing the course. The Nick Kent trained Gun Smith managed to stay out of trouble and after putting in a clear round went on to give 19-year-old Henry Brooke his third winner.

The winning jockey, who looks like a young man with a future, is based at Middleham and after the race said; "I am very grateful to Nick Kent for giving me the chance to ride such a good horse." The veteran My Best Buddy ran a gallant race to be second for Ben Way and the Docker family.

Owner/Rider Richard Hunnisett suffered at mishap at the start when Harapour unseated him before the Gleadell Agriculture Ltd. Confined Hunts race. However, there were no such problems when he lined up on Denvale for the D & M Barthorpe Mixed Open. Denvale, whose stable name is "Gordon", made all the running and jumped superbly to beat Buckby Lane and Sam Waley-Cohen by two lengths. "I've threatened to retire every year for the last ten but I'm still going," said a delighted Hunnisett afterwards.

Denvale's trainer Gerald Bailey went on to complete a double when North Carlton Maiden winner Byways Boy followed up in the competitive NFU Mutual Restricted. Brocklesby Maiden winner Noble Ben started the 4/5 favourite and his backers were entitled to be fairly confident for most of the way. However, Byways Boy was given good ride by Dickie Barrett and won by two lengths. Owned by Welbeck secretary Jane Bowen and her husband, the-seven-year old should be able to progress further.

Earlier in the day Barrett had finished second on Margaret Moody's Pleasure shared in the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate race. However, the winner Horsham Lad won with a bit in hand and having quickly gone through the Maiden, Restricted and Intermediate ranks looks a classy individual. Top rider Richard Burton had made the journey from his Cheshire base for this one ride. "He's had three races close together so he will probably have a break now," he said.

The next Point-to-Point in the Midlands Area is the Grove & Rufford at Welbeck on Sunday 21st March first race 12noon.

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